Condiment containers



C. E. M ILRATH CONDIMENT CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 24. 1958 Jan. 27, 1959 INVENTOR C/xfford. Mf/rafh' 1;; QMMQ ATTORNEY United States Patent.

2,870,942 CONDIMENT CONTAINERS Cunard E. Mcllrath St. Paul, Minn. Application January 24, 1958, Serial No. 710,895 I 9 Claims. c1. 222-73 This invention relates to an improvement in condiment containers and deals particularly with a novel and attrac tive holder for a plurality of condiments.

the wringer frame in the general position normally occu-,

pied by the wringer rolls. These elongated tubular containers are designed to contain salt and pepper and are provided with perforated ends through which. such a seasoning may be dispensed.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the body of the holder which represents in gen- "ice provided with an open top 11, the upper end of thewall being encircled by a peripheral flange 12. While the body has been described as cylindrical, it will be understood that in actual practice it is slightly tapered to permit withdrawal from a mold. The receptacle also includes a fiat bottom 13. A series of angularly spaced pins 14 are preferably cast integral with the bottom 13 and project downwardly therefrom.

eral the body of the washing machine is provided with a t removable cover and forms a receptacle for'containing another seasoning material such as sugar. In preferred form, the wringer is pivotally supported so as to swing over the removable cover or may swing out of the path of the cover to permit the contents of the receptacle body to be removed with a spoon or the like.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel and attractive holder which represents thegeneral shape of a washing machine and yet may be used as a combined holder for several condiments which may be selectively used.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a partof the specification:

t Figure l is a perspective view of the condiment holder showing thegeneral arrangement of parts therein.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the holder illustrated in Figure 1.

' Figure 3 is a bottom plan in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the frame which corresponds to the wringer frame. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the opposite end of the frame with the condiment receptacles removed therefrom.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the wringer frame with the condiment receptacles removed, the position of the section being indicated by the line '6-6 of Figure 1.

view of the holder illustrated A bottom section indicated in general by the numeral'15 acts as a support for the receptacle 10. The supporting structure 15 includes a ring 16 which is of slightly greater diameter than the lower end of the receptacle 10 to provide a peripheral outwardly projecting flange 17 at the lower end of the receptacle. The ring 16 is provided with angularly spaced apertures 19 which are angularly spaced to correspond to the locationof the pins 14. The pins 14 extend into the apertures 19 and are secured therein by any suitable means such as by cement, by riveting the ends of the pins 14, or by frictionally engaging the pins in the apertures.

The ring 16 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced'legs 20 which extend downwardly from the outer edge of the ring and form a firm support for the receptacle. Three such legs 20 are shown in the particular arrangement illustrated, although the numberofilegs obviously may be varied. A rib 21 having an arcuate outer surface extends vertically on the outer surface of the receptacle 10 and integral therewith. A downwardly opening socket 22 is preferably provided in the rib 21 to lighten the structure and reduce the amount of material used. The upper endof the rib 21 is closed as is indicated at .23 and this closed end includes a vertical socket 24 with a peripheral flange 27 which rests upon the flange 12 to support the cover in receptacle closing position. A lug 29 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 25 which maybe engaged by the fingers to assist in removing the cover.

The wringer structure is indicated in general by the numeral 30 and includes a generally rectangular open frame provided at one end of its under surface with a downwardly projecting boss 31 having a vertical socket 32 in its under surface. 'A pin 33 extends into the socket 24 of the rib 21 and into the socket 32 of the boss 31 to connect the wringer structure to the body of the holder. If desired, the pin 33 may fit freely enough in one of the sockets to permit. relative movement of the wringer structure relative to the body of the holder. Obviously, the two parts may be securely engaged by the pin 33 if this is preferred.

The wringer structure 30 includes a top cross member 34, a bottom cross member 35, and a pair of parallel upright frame ends 36 and 37. In preferred form, the

upper cross member 35 includes an upwardly bowederably horizontal. As is indicated in various figures of the drawings, the lower cross member 35 is provided with a central groove 42 in its upper surface which is arcuate to fit the contour of one of the condiment coni tainers as will be later described. The lower cross memth wringer structures of washing machines.;The-Be ber 35 also includes a pair of laterally extending flanges 43 and 44 which have outwardly and downwardly in clined upper surfaces 45 and 46 respectively which simulate in appearance the drain baffles normally provided on surface with a pair of shallow cylindrical sockets 51 and 52 which may also be connected by a connecting passage 53. These sockets 51 and 52 are of substantially the same-diameter as the apertures 47 and 49 and are designed to (accommodate the ends of cylindrical condiment receptacles which will be later described. The condiment receptacles comprise generally cylindrical shells 54 and 55 having closed ends '56 and 57 respectively. Spaced apertures 59 areprovided in the closed end 56 and spaced apertures 60 are provided in the closed end 57. The apertures 56 f the upper receptacle 54 are shown of larger diameter than the apertures 60 in the lower receptacle as the upper receptacle is designed to contain salt, the particles of which are of larger size than the particles of pepper contained in the lower receptacle 55.

The upper receptacle has an open end 61 which is normally closed by a cap 62. The lower receptacle 55 is also provided with an open end 63 which is normally closed by a cap 64. Both caps are similar in form and one of these caps 62 is-shown in some detail in Figure 8 of the drawings. Each cap includes a generally rectangul-a-r .face plate 65 having a hollow generally cylindrical boss or sleeve 66 projecting centrally therefrom on one side thereof. The sleeve 66 is designed to frictionally engage into .the end of one of the tubular receptacles 54 or 55 and form a closure for the end of the receptacle. The sleeve 66 is preferably engaged in the tubular container with a friction fit so that the cap may be removed for refilling the receptacle. The cap must fit tightly enough so that the plate 62 may be used in removing the receptacle-from the supporting frame. Obviously, the two parts may be provided with a threaded connection but such a connection has normally been found unnecessary and to merely add to the cost of the structure. The lower receptacle 55 may be inserted through the aperture 49 until the closed end 57 enters the socket 52 of the frame end 36. Similarly, the upper receptacle 54 may be inserted through the upper aperture 47 until the end .56 thereof enters the socket 51 in theframe end 36. The apertures and sockets are of proper size so the receptacles slide easily into place but the receptacles are held snugly enough so that they are properly located when ;sup.por-ted.

As indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings, the plate 65 of the upper cap 62 is provided with indicia such as the letter S indicating that salt is contained in this receptacle The plate '65 of the lower cap 64 is provided. with indicia 69 such as the letter P so as to indicate that pepper is contained. As the two receptacles are similar in size and shape either receptacle maybe supported in either of the apertures 47 and 49.

As indicated in Figures 4 and of the drawings, a rectangular slot 70 extends through the frame end 36, the slot communicating with the sockets 51 and 52 and extending at its inner extremity substantially the full height of the socket. A pusher bar 71 is pivotally supported by the frame end 36 through the use of a horizontal pivot 72 extending on a plane normal to the axes of the receptacles 54 and 55. The pusher bar '71 is provided with rounded ends 73 and 74 designed to bear against the closed ends '56 and 57 of the receptacles 54 and $5.

* The pusher bar 71 may be actuated by a handle 75 which extends generally parallel to the pusher bar and is centrally connected thereto by a connecting neck 76. The pivot 72 extends centrally through the pusherbar'71 with 4 the axis of the pivot generally tangent to the cylindrical surfaces of the receptacles '54 and 55. By swinging the pusher bar 71 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, pressure is exerted upon the end 57 of the lower receptacle pushing this lower receptacle outwardly so that it may be more easily grasped by the fingers. Pivotal movement of the pusher bar 71 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 'will cause the upper ends 73 thereof to engage the closed end 56 of the upper receptacle 54 to urge this upper receptacle outwardly.

The operation of the device is believed evident from the foregoing description. The body 10 of the holder may be used to accommodate sugar orother flavoring material and the contents may be inserted or removed by merely removing the cover 25. The receptacles 54 and 55 are normally used to contain salt and pepper which is inserted into the receptacle. by removal of the caps .62

and 64. These receptacles may be inserted into place by merely sliding them longitudinally through the apertures 47 and 49 in the frame end 37. The removal of the receptacles is facilitated 'by the pusher bar71 which may be swung in either direction to exert pressure against the perforated end of either receptacle.

In accordance with the patent statutes, Ihavc described the principles of'construction and operation of my improvement in condiment containers, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I

desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A condiment holder including a 'body' shaped to resemble the body of a washing machine, a generally r'cctangular frame supported upon said body and designed to simulate the frame of a washing machinewringer, said frame'having top and bottom members conn'ected'by substantially vertical frame ends, one of said ends having a pair of superimposed apertures therethrough and a pair of elongated tubular condiment receptacles slida'bl e lin to or out of said frame through said apertures, said condiment receptacles being shaped to simulate wringer rolls when supported-in said frame.

2. The construction described in claim 1 and in which said condiment receptacles include perforate closed ends.

3. The structure described in claim 1 and in which said condiment receptacles include an open end, and a closure cap engageable with the open end of each receptacle to normally close the same, each said cap including a plate projecting beyond the diameter of the receptacle and providing a means of grasping the receptacle.

4. The structure described in claim 3 and in which said plates on said caps are generally rectangular in form and extend in edge abutting relation.

5. The structure described in claim 1 and in which said body comprises an open top receptacle, and including a cover for said receptacle.

6. The construction described in claim 1 and including means on said frame selectively engageable against the ends of said receptacles for moving the same outwardly.

'7. The structure described in claim 1 and including cam means pivotally connected to said frame and selectively engageable against said receptacles when supported by said frame to slide the same outwardly.

8. The structure described in claim 1 and in which said frame is pivotally supported upon said body.

9. The structure described in claim 1 and including a supporting structure attached to said body for supporting the same, said supporting structure comprising a circular member having -angularly spacedlegs projecting downwardly therefrom, and means connecting said circular member 'to the under surface of said receptacle body.

No references cited. 

